Shannon offered experience as a head coach, success as a defensive coordinator and ability to recruit the best players out of South Florida.

On Monday, UF announced Shannon was leaving his position as linebackers coach at Arkansas to serve as Florida's assistant head coach, linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator for McElwain's Gators.

McElwain said he received interest in joining his staff from coaches all over the country, including many he did not even know. Shannon's name came up immediately from the coaches McElwain knows best.

"Guys that I trust, guys that I have been in the rooms with, guys that I consider true friends that can and will tell me the truth recommended him and knew what a great person he is and how great he was for players," McElwain said. "And it was instant when I took this job. He was a guy that was at the top of my list from a standpoint of the people and how they speak about his integrity, his discipline and his organization and his ball coaching ability. The thing that gets lost, man, this guy is a great ball coach.

"I feel it was an unbelievable hire to be able to get that done."

McElwain said Shannon's head coaching experience will prove invaluable.

The Miami native spent four seasons (2007-10) as head coach at UM, where he had been a starting outside linebacker for the 1987 national title team.

But the Hurricanes were unable to return to their glory years under Shannon, who was 28-22 during his time in Coral Gables.

"Until you’ve sat in this chair, it’s really hard to understand all the things that come with it," Shannon said. "He has already helped me immensely on things and he’s a guy you can bounce ideas off. Not only football ideas, but organizational ideas.

"I can’t tell you how excited I am that he’s here."

Shannon will not serve as recruiting coordinator, McElwain said, but he undoubtedly will bring a lot of talent to UF.

The Canes signed the nation’s No. 2 class in 2008, according to the rankings of 247Sports, and were among the top 20 classes every season under Shannon.

"I don't get into titles," McElwain said. "I never have."

As for Shannon's title of co-defensive coordinator, McElwain said said he co-coordinator Geoff Collins, defensive line coach Terrell Williams and secondary coach Kirk Callahan each will have input.

"As will me when I come in and mess with them," McElwain said. "There will be a lot of that, but (Shannon will) have a big hand in that. And part of that is just because he’s been a defensive coordinator.